Cannabis cooking: Infused pasta, goulash & savory recipes

Cannabis in savory dishes is far more than just an insider tip. Infused pasta, cannabis goulash or quesadillas with cannabis oil represent a new way of using the plant in the kitchen – precise in taste, dose-conscious and enjoyable.

Cannabis in the kitchen: what you need to know

First things first: cannabis must be decarboxylated before cooking – i.e. heated in the oven at 105-115 °C (30-40 minutes) so that THCA becomes effective THC. If you skip this step, you will end up with a dish that has no effect.

The following also applies to cooking: THC is sensitive to heat. Temperatures above 175 °C break down THC. This is why cannabis oil or cannabutter should never be placed in an overheated pan. Medium heat is always better – the oil shimmers but does not steam strongly.

The advantage over baking: Hearty dishes are easier to portion precisely. A plate of pasta with 5 ml of cannabis oil contains a clearly calculable amount of THC.

Make your own cannabis olive oil

Cannabis olive oil is the most versatile base for savory cooking. It can be drizzled over ready-made dishes, stirred into vinaigrettes or used for gentle sautéing.

Recipe:

1. Decarboxylate cannabis (105 °C, 40 minutes)
2. Heat 250 ml of high-quality olive oil in a pan to 70 °C
3. Stir in decarboxylated cannabis (5-10 g)
4. Leave to infuse for 2 hours at a constant temperature – never boil
5. Filter through a fine sieve and pour into a dark glass bottle
6. Store in a cool, dark place – lasts up to 3 months

Step-by-step video from ZenCannaKitchen:

Full recipe: Cannabis olive oil – ZenCannaKitchen

Infused Pasta Arrabiata

Arrabiata is a classic – spicy, tomato-based and ready in no time. Enriched with cannabis oil, it becomes a dish with character.

Ingredients (2 portions):

• 200 g spaghetti or penne
• 2 tbsp cannabis olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1-2 chili peppers (dried or fresh)
• 400 g strained tomatoes
• Salt, pepper, fresh parsley

Preparation: Cook the pasta. Sauté the garlic and chili in the cannabis oil over a medium heat (never too hot!). Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste, mix with pasta. Do not heat the cannabis oil, but stir it in at the end – this preserves the potency.

Recipe: Infused Pasta Arrabiata – ZenCannaKitchen

Cannabis beef goulash with raisin

A goulash takes time – and cannabis makes that time more rewarding. The recipe uses cannabis rosin (a more heat-resistant concentrate) as a base, which develops its full effect during the long braising process.

Ingredients (4 portions):

• 800 g beef goulash
• 2 large onions
• 2 tbsp cannabis olive oil for frying
• 0.5 g cannabis rosin (alternatively: 3 tablespoons cannabutter)
• 2 tbsp paprika powder (sweet + hot)
• 500 ml beef stock
• 200 g tomato purée
• Salt, caraway, marjoram

Brown the meat, fry the onions until translucent, stir in the paprika and tomato purée. Deglaze with stock. Dissolve the rosin or cannabutter. Simmer for 90 minutes on a low heat. Temperature: maximum 90 °C in the pot.

Full recipe: Cannabis beef goulash – ZenCannaKitchen

Cannabis chicken quesadilla

Quesadillas are quick, filling and perfect for a first encounter with hearty infused dishes. The cannabis oil comes into play here as a coating for the tortilla – and therefore in a place that is not heated up too much.

Ingredients (2 portions):

• 4 large tortillas
• 250 g chicken breast (seasoned, fried)
• 150 g grated cheddar
• 1 tbsp cannabis olive oil (for coating)
• Salsa, sour cream, avocado to serve

Brush the tortilla with cannabis oil, place the filling on top and fold. Fry in a hot (but not maximum) pan until golden brown – at 160 °C, not at full heat. Recipe: Cannabis chicken quesadilla – ZenCannaKitchen

Temperatures & dosing when cooking

Cannabis in cooking does not forgive impatience. The most important rules summarized:

• Decarb first: Always, without exception, before the infusion
• Maximum cooking temperature: 160-170 °C – no higher
• THC degradation: The loss of active ingredients begins to increase noticeably from 175 °C
• Dosage: 5 mg THC per serving for beginners, 10-15 mg for experienced users
• Onset of action: 30-90 minutes – so don’t overeat!

More on the medical aspects of cannabis: Cannabis in Crohn’s disease and Cannabis Events 2026.